Lifebelts and the like



May 27, 1969 c. R. TYRER LIFEBELTS AND THE LIKE Sheet l of 3 Filed Feb.15, 1967 May 27, 1969 LIFEBELTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb -15, 1967 .A V dI I -1 T K U K har/P; 1e. 7?!- INVENTOR:

May 27, 1969 2. R. TYRER LIFEBELTS AND THE LIKE 7 6 9 l v 5 l b e d e li F United States Patent 3,445,869 LIFEBELTS AND THE LIKE Charles R.Tyrer, Huyton, England, assignor of one-half to R. Perry & CompanyLimited, Birkenhead, Cheshire,

England, a British company Filed Feb. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 616,379 Int.Cl. B63c 9/10 US. Cl. 9-340 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aliferaft or like annular buoy having a rigid plasticmoulded shell filledwith inert synthetic foam and provided with circumferentially-spacedeyes, inset relatively to its circular profile, through which isthreaded a closed loop of rope. Each such eye may be buried in thecrosssection of the buoy between rope-receiving grooves therein, or mayform part of a strap secured around a recessed part of the buoy, and ispreferably bifurcated to receive a locating enlargement of the rope.

This invention relates to lifebelts and like annular buoys intendedparticularly for marine lifesaving, of the type which comprises a thinrigid shell formed of a mounded synthetic plastics material and filledwith an inert synthetic foam, the outer periphery of such shell havingintegrally or otherwise united thereto a plurality of eyes for carryinga durable edging rope to which a person can cling for support or graspwhen handling the article.

The construction above described forms the subject of British Patent No.982,601, in the specification of which it is proposed to produce theperipheral eyes either as tubular tangential lugs on the shell or asseparate moulded inserts homogeneously bonded in gaps in said shell andmaking keying engagement with the foam filling.

In either case the eyes aforesaid, and any knots or clamps used toprevent the edging rope from sliding therethrough, constituteprojections from the outer periphery of the lifebelt, which it isconceivable might hinder the free rolling of the latter when stowedvertically and launched down an inclined chute in the manner currentlyprescribed.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate this hypotheticaldefect of the known construction referred to, without in any wayweakening or complicating the same or reducing the efiiciency of theedging rope for its purpose.

The improvement or modification which forms the subject of the presentapplication consists in arranging the edging-rope eyes within the outercircular profile of the shell, which latter either has circumferentiallead-out grooves for the rope at opposite ends of each eye, or has theeyes placed at one side of its medial plane of revolution so that theouter circular profile aforesaid is not interrupted.

The bases of the lead-out grooves, if provided, may be substantiallychordal to the outer circular profile of the shell and substantiallyparallel to the axes of the intervening eyes, which may either bepermanent features of the shell or parts of non-metallic straps closelyembracing the cross-section thereof.

In the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of one form of lifebelt accordingto the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view,

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 33 of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views corresponding respectively to FIGS. 1 and 2 butshowing a modified construction,

FIG. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4,

FIGS. 7 and 8 are fragmentary part-sectional side elevations showingfurther modifications,

FIG. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of yet another modification, and

FIG. ll is a section on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the seamless shell A of thelifebelt is produced in known manner, by introducing a predeterminedquantity of a suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting material within atwopart female mould and rotating the latter so as to distribute suchmaterial uniformly over its inner surface during a curing operation.

Each half of the mould is formed, at suitable angular intervals aroundits periphery, with pairs of pockets which are registered with those inthe other half when the mould is closed. During this operation, loosecylindrical cores are engaged between the two mould halves so that eachextends across a pair of the pockets aforesaid and locates within themtwo bushes B forming part of a separate mounded nylon insert C.

In the convenient form of insert shown, the bushes B are integrallyunited by fiat shanks D to a connecting plate E which lies more or lesscentrally of the shells oval cross-section, the insert being preventedfrom swinging on the cores by means of a radial fin F on one of thebushes 'B.

After curing of the shell A, the constituents of an inert synthetic foamare injected into it with a hypodermic syringe, and then heated whilstsuch shell is confined within the original (or a second) mould toprevent distortion thereof during development of the foam filling G,which becomes firmly bonded to the interior of the shell A as well asclosely investing the several nylon inserts C.

It will be seen that, when the cores aforesaid are removed, each leavesthe adjacent part of the shell A with an interrupted bushed eye H lyingwholly within its outer arcuate profile. It should be understood,however, that the use of separate inserts for bushing the eyes H is notessential, and may be omitted when regulations permit.

The shell A is also moulded with grooves K of trapezoidal cross-sectionwhich extend circumferentially from opposite ends of each eye H, thebases of these grooves being substantially parallel to the common axisof the bushings B and lying on lines chordal to the arcuate profileaforesaid. The edges of each groove K may be mutually parallel as shownin full lines, or mutually divergent as indicated at K.

Preferably the two parts of each eye H are of outwardly tapering form,the V-shaped gap L between them having a depth at least equal to themaximum depth of the grooves K.

The edging rope M is passed through the several eyes H, and its endstied or clamped together as at N in the gap L of one such eye, furtherknots being accommodated in the remainder of such gaps so that the ropeis located circumferentially of the lifebelt, leaving bights thereofbetween successive eyes H, to form handgrips. The outwardly convergentend faces of each eye tend to prevent chafing of the parts of the rope Hwhich emerge therefrom.

Alternatively, of course, the locating knots may be formed at oppositeends of each eye H and located in the circumferential lead-out groovesK.

In the alternative construction illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, the eyes Hand grooves K, instead of being arranged in the medial plane ofrevolution of the shell A, are offset laterally from such plane so thatnot even the rope M passed therethrough need interrupt the outercircular profile of the lifebelt.

With this arrangement, the pockets, cores and bushings B producing theeyes H are located in one part of the mould, the other mould part beingof a plain halfelliptical cross-section throughout.

It will be appreciated that a lifebelt with eyes H and edging rope Marranged in this manner is ideal for launching down a chute, since withthis procedure the lifebelt may be required to reach a sufficientterminal velocity to effect firing of a flare and smoke signal carriedthereby.

In the interests of speedy production, however, it may be preferred toemploy two identical mould halves each with two diametrically-opposedpairs of offset eye-forming pockets and to assemble such halves so thatthe interrupted eyes H will be arranged at 90-degree intervals onopposite sides of the lifebelt alternately.

In a modified construction (see FIG. 7), which obviates the need forknotting to prevent movement of the edging rope M through the eyes, eachof the moulded inserts O for the latter is formed with a singlethrough-passage P exhibiting, midway of its length, a sharp outward kinkQ which breaks through the tubular portion of the insert to produce ashort slot R therein.

Each of these inserts O is incorporated in the lifebelt as previouslydescribed, the wall of its tubular portion being covered by the mouldedshell A without causing any projection beyond the latters outer circularprofile, where an aperture S is provided opposite the position of theslot R.

In threading the rope M through each eye H, it is convenient to feed itsleading end outwards through the aperture S in the shell A and then tore-insert it for passage through the second half of the eye, and it willbe appreciated that, when threading of the rope has been completed, itsends can readily be spliced together and the splice drawn into anadjacent eye H, the excess rope being then pulled outwards into bightsbetween the eyes so that it does not protrude through the apertures S inthe tops of the latter and is thereafter frictionally located by thecentral kinks Q in the eye passages P.

In the further modification shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 each of the mouldedinserts C buried in the lifebelt has a head T of rounded triangularsection united at one corner to each shank D of the insert, and formedwith three parallel through-holes U, likewise in a triangulararrangement, the ends of these holes being exposed by the moulded shellA which is again formed with a V- shaped gap L between the two parts ofthe interrupted eye H.

In this case, the leading end of the edging rope M is first threadedthrough one of the two outer holes U, passed back through the other andfinally threaded onwards through the inner hole. The two ends of therope M may be united by a splice which is drawn into the adjacentmultiple eye H, the rope being then adjusted to provide the requiredhand-grip 'bights between the eyes and finally pulled tightly into thelatter so that the several sharp S bends produced effectively locate itagainst circumferential movement.

In the still further modification shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each eye V,instead of being a permanent feature of the shell A, forms the centralpart of a strap W moulded in nylon or other suitable synthetic plasticsmaterial and secured around the cross-section of such shell, which isproduced with a continuous recess X to allow the strap W to lie at leastflush with its surface.

If the strap W is arranged as shown, so that the eye V lies at one sideof the shell A (for example, at or near its cross-sections minor axis)such eye may project sufiiciently to avoid chafing of the associatedrope against the edges of the recess X, but if the eye is located in ornear the medial plane of revolution of the shell, the

4 recess must be deep enough to accept it completely and the shellformed with circumferential lead-out grooves such as K.

Conveniently one end of the strap W is tapered in width to enable it tobe threaded through an anchorage loop Y, slot or channel provided at theother end of the strap and pulled until barbs Z at the first-mentionedend engage behind such anchorage, thus holding the strap in securefrictional engagement with the shell A. Alternatively the ends of thestrap W may be secured by positive means such as pegs, rivets, bolts orthe like, and the fastening (however produced) may be cemented foradditional security.

Each eye V is preferably interrupted as shown to accommodate a locatingknot or clamp on the edging rope, and in a further alternative method ofsecuring the strap W half-eyes may be formed at opposite ends of thelatter so that the edging rope holds them in alignment as well asmaintaining the strap under tension.

However the roping eyes are constructed, it should be understood thatthe shell A of the lifebelt may be produced by any of several knownmethods besides the one already indicated.

That is to say, the two-part female mould aforesaid may be charged witha suitable thermoplastic material which is cured by heat to produce acontinuous sintered or fused skin on the inner surface of the mould, theexcess material being removed through an opening in the shell wall whichis substantially plugged.

Alternatively the shell may be produced by bonding together the edges oftwo pre-formed annular mouldings of half-elliptical cross-section, inwhich case the nylon inserts (if used) may project through openings inthe outer periphery of one (or each) such moulding.

Yet another available method of producing the shell A is that ofblow-moulding it within a suitable mould.

In addition to having the important advantages characteristic of theirplastics construction (i.e. light weight, constant high buoyancy, easeand cheapness of manufac' ture, and virtual indestructibility),lifebelts having peripheral eyes according to the present invention canhave their edging ropes renewed at sea, when necessary, without the useof skilled labour.

I claim:

1. An annular lifesaving buoy comprising a thin rigid shell formed of amoulded synthetic plastics material, an inert synthetic foam fillingwithin said shell, a plurality of eyes at least partially formed by theouter periphery of said shell at angularly spaced positions which areinset relatively to its circular profile, reinforcing means for saideyes embedded in said foam filling and extending into each eye butterminating within said circular profile of the shell, a closed loop ofrope threaded through said eyes and extending circumferentially of thebuoy.

2. An annular lifesaving buoy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partsof said rope adjacent said eyes are acclonlilmodated in circumferentiallead-out grooves in said s e 3. An annular lifesaving buoy as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said eyes are placed at one side of the medial plane ofrevolution of said shell so that its outer circular profile is notinterrupted by said rope.

4. An annular lifesaving buoy as claimed in claim 1, wherein each saideye is a separate member embedded in said foam filling and enveloped bysaid moulded shell.

5. An annular lifesaving buoy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partsof said rope adjacent said eyes are accommodated in lead-out grooves insaid shell, said shell being formed within a two-part female moulddivided approximately at the medial plane of revolution of said shelland having said eyes and grooves produced wholly by one part thereof.

6. An annular lifesaving buoy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shellis formed within a two-part female mould divided approximately at themedial plane of revolution of said shell, each eye being in two spacedparts produced respectivel by opposite parts of said mould.

7. An annular lifesaving buoy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said eyesform parts of non-metallic straps closely embracing the cross-section ofsaid shell.

8. An annular lifesaving buoy according to claim 1 wherein said eyesform parts of non-metallic straps closely embracing the cross-section ofsaid shell and are disposed at least adjacent the medial plane ofrevolution of said shell, said shell being recessed to allow said eyesto lie flush with its outer circular profile.

9. An annular lifesaving buoy according to claim 1, wherein said shellis produced in one piece by blow-moulding, said foam filling beingderived from reagents injected into said moulded shell and subsequentlyheated.

10. An annular lifesaving buoy comprising a thin rigid shell formed of amoulded synthetic plastics material, an inert synthetic foam fillingwithin said shell, a plurality of eyes united to the outer periphery ofsaid shell at angularly spaced positions which are inset relatively toits circular profile, a closed loop of rope threaded through said eyesand extending circumferentially of the buoy, each said eye beingbisected by a radial notch in said shell, and said rope havingenlargements thereof located in said notches.

11. An annular lifesaving buoy comprising a thin rigid shell formed of amoulded synthetic plastics material, an inert synthetic foam fillingWithin said shell, a plurality of eyes united to the outer periphery ofsaid shell at angularly spaced positions which are inset relatively toits circular profile, a closed loop of rope threaded through said eyesand extending circumferentially of the buoy, each said eye being mouldedin a tough synthetic plastics material as a tubular member integrallyunited by a fiat shank to an anchorage plate, said tubular member beingenveloped by said moulded shell, and said shank and plate being embeddedin said foam filling.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,373,994 4/ 1945 Brandsten 9-3113,353,197 11/1967 Frieder et al. 9-311 3,372,411 3/1968 Robertson 9311913,617 2/1909 Busch 9-340 1,297,665 3/ 1919 Edmonds 9-340 3,050,7548/1962 Le Blanc 9340 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

T. W. BUCKMAN, Assistant Examiner.

